Panel joining mechanism

ABSTRACT

A panel joining mechanism (1) has a post (10) composed of a flat rear wall (11) adapted to be positioned in confronting relation to an attachment (40) for being securely joined to the attachment (40), and a pair of side walls (12) extending from respective opposite ends of the flat rear wall (11) away from the attachment (40), the side walls (12) having respective ends bent inwardly into a pair of respective bent portions (13) with an opening defined therebetween, a panel joiner (20) having a substantially inverted Ω-shaped cross section and disposed between the bent portions (13), at least a pair of panels (30L, 30R) having respective elastic portions (34L, 34R) on respective marginal side edges thereof. The panel joiner is detachably fitted in the post (10) through the opening, and the panels (30L, 30R) are joined to the panel joiner (20) with corresponding ones of the elastic portions (34L, 34R) detachably fitted in the panel joiner (20).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a panel joining mechanism for joining aplurality of wall panels or partition panels.

BACKGROUND ART

There have been proposed various joining structures and fixtures forjoining wall panels or partition panels for unit bathrooms. Referencenumerals given in parentheses below refer to those indicated in thedrawings of publications of the background art.

Japanese utility model publication No. 60-40722 discloses a joiningstructure as a first background art arrangement. As shown in FIG. 5 ofthe publication, the joint structure has a joint member (12) (see itsFIG. 6) fitted in a post (11) and panels (1), (1) having hook fingers(4), (4) inserted in the joint member (12). The joint member (12) hasdeep grooves (12c), (12c) in which attachment members (11'), (11') ofthe post (11) are fitted, respectively. Therefore, the joint member (12)is movable along the grooves (12c) with respect to the post (11),allowing the panels (1), (1) to be easily attached to the joint member(12).

Japanese laid-open utility model publication No. 59-168414 discloses, asecond background art arrangement, a fixture (1) for joining panels (3),(4) to each other. When the fixture (1) is fitted in a channel-shapedstud (2) and engaging members (11), (11) on ends of the panels (3), (4)are inserted into the fixture (1), the panels (3), (4) are joined toeach other and fixed to the stud (2).

As shown in FIG. 2 of the publication, the fixture (1) is formed bybending a thin metal sheet a number of times, and has a shape that canelastically be deformed.

The relevance of the two background art structures described aboveresides in that panels can easily be attached to a post or a stud by ajoint member or a fixture.

There is a demand for modifying a finished bathroom by attaching anaccessory such as a lavatory bowl to a wall of the bathroom. Since thelavatory bowl is heavy, it should not simply be fastened to a wall panelby screws.

It has been customary to detach a wall panel, remove a joint member or afixture, put an accessory attachment plate between exposed posts orstuds, fasten opposite ends of the accessory attachment plate to theposts or studs, attach the joint member or the fixture again, and thenattach the wall panel again to the joint member or the fixture.Thereafter, a lavatory bowl is fastened to the accessory attachmentplate behind the wall panel.

Therefore, it is necessary to remove panels for rearranging bathrooms.

In terms of rearranging a bathroom, the first background art arrangementis disadvantageous in that, as shown in FIG. 5 of the publication, sincethe tip ends of J-shaped hook fingers (4) engage steps (accompanied byno reference numerals) of the joint member (12), attempts to force thepanels (1) off tend to deform the hook fingers (4) or break the steps ofthe joint members (12).

With the second prior art arrangement, a pattern of spaced fixtures (1)which are of a small length, as shown in FIG. 1 of the publication,allows steam to leak out of the bathroom through gaps. If an elongatefixture (1) as long as the stud (2) is used to avoid the steam leakage,then it will not be easy to detach the fixture (1) from the stud (2).This is because steps (14), (14) of the fixture (1) interlock with tipends (8), (8) of flanges (7), (7) of the stud (2). If intensive forcesare applied to remove the fixture (1), then the fixture (1) is liable tobe deformed largely and may not be used again.

As described above, the conventional joining structures are addressed toattachment of panels only, and are not suitable for detaching andreattaching panels.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present inventionto provide a panel joining mechanism which allows panels to be detachedand reattached without applying undue forces and repeatedly.

A panel joining mechanism according to the present invention comprises apost composed of a flat rear wall adapted to be positioned inconfronting relation to an attachment for being securely joined to theattachment, and a pair of side walls extending from respective oppositeends of the flat rear wall away from the attachment, the side wallshaving respective ends bent inwardly into a pair of respective bentportions with an opening defined therebetween, a panel joiner having asubstantially inverted Ω-shaped cross section and disposed between thebent portions, and at least a pair of panels having respective elasticportions on respective marginal side edges thereof. The panel joiner isdetachably fitted in the post through the opening, and the panels arejoined to the panel joiner with corresponding ones of the elasticportions detachably fitted in the panel joiner.

To detach the panels, the elastic portions may be removed from the paneljoiner. When necessary, the panel joiner may also be removed from thepost.

The panel joiner has a soft member held against the elastic portions toapply elastic forces for keeping the panels strongly attached to thepost and make the panel joining mechanism highly water-tight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel joiningmechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2(a) is a fragmentary perspective view of a panel joiner in thepanel joining mechanism according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of dimensions ofvarious parts of an elastic portion on a panel side edge in the firstembodiment;

FIGS. 3(a) through 3(d) are cross-sectional views illustrative of asequence of assembling the panel joining mechanism according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled form of the paneljoining mechanism according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a bathroom assembled using panel joiningmechanisms according to the first embodiment, with a posteriorlyinstalled lavatory bowl;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of components, including a floor, posts,etc. of the bathroom produced using panel joining mechanisms accordingto the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a structure by whichthe lower ends of posts are attached to an attachment according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view showing another structure by which thelower ends of posts are attached to an attachment;

FIGS. 9(a) through (e) are cross-sectional views showing a sequence ofposteriorly installing a lavatory bowl in the bathroom assembled usingpanel joining mechanisms according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel joiningmechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel joiningmechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel joiningmechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 a horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel joining mechanismaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel joiningmechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Thepanel joining mechanism, generally denoted at 1, comprises a post orpost member 10, a panel joiner 20, a pair of panels 30L, 30R (Lindicates a left panel and R a right panel).

The post 10 is formed by bending a steel sheet or the like into achannel shape composed of a rear wall 11 and a pair of side walls 12,bending opposite ends of the side walls 12 into bent portions 13 havingslanted portions 14 which confront each other with a relatively largeopening defined therebetween.

The opening has an inside dimension A that is larger than the dimensionB of the head of a screw 16 which fastens the post 10 to an attachmentmember such as an accessory attachment plate or a building wall.

The screw 16 can thus easily be inserted through the opening forengagement with the post 10.

The panel joiner 20 is made of a material having medium hardness whichis both elastically deformable and rigid. The panel joiner 20 is anelongate member having a substantially inverted Ω-shaped cross section,and is composed of a pair of wings 21, a pair of first slanted walls 22joined respectively to the wings 21, a pair of second slanted walls 23joined respectively to the first slanted walls 22, a rear wall 24joining the second slanted walls 23 to each other, and a Y- or V-shapedsoft member 25 projecting from the rear wall 24.

FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of the panel joiner 20 in the firstembodiment. The panel joiner 20 is of an elongate dimension which issubstantially the same as the height of the panels, and has a shape thatis suitable for being produced by extrusion molding.

Specifically, the panel joiner 20 is manufactured by extrusion-moldingdifferent materials simultaneously or at slightly different timesaccording to the two-color extrusion molding process such that a softmaterial is extrusion-molded on a medium-hardness material.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the panels 30L, 30R comprise respectivesurface members 32L, 32R lined respectively by lining members 31L, 31Rsuch as of plaster board, asbestos, glass wool, or the like. The surfacemembers 32L, 32R are preferably in the form of decorative metal sheets,and may comprise steel sheets coated with vinyl chloride layers, forexample. Preferably, the steel sheets have a thickness of 0.45 mm, thevinyl chloride layers have a thickness ranging from 0.15 to 0.25 mm, andthe total thickness thereof including back coating ranges from 0.5 to1.5 mm. The surface members 32L, 32R may alternatively comprise paintedsteel sheets, colored aluminum sheets, stainless steel sheets, paintedstainless steel sheets, decorative aluminum sheets coated with vinylchloride layers, or decorative sheets of titanium, copper, brass, or thelike.

The panels 30L, 30R have respective marginal side edges 33L, 33R bentbackwards (toward the exterior) into elastic or spring portions 34L, 34Rof a substantially J-shaped cross section. The elastic portions 34L, 34Rhave distal ends bent into convex edges 35L, 35R of an L-shape crosssection.

The elastic portions 34L, 34R of the panels 30L, 30R have variousdimensions which preferably include, as shown in FIG. 2(b), a length L₁of about 9.1 mm, a length L₂ of about 5.5 mm, a length L₃ of about 5 mm,a length L₄ of about 4.5 mm, radii R₁ and R₂ of about 2 mm, and an angleθ of about 30°. However, the dimensions are not limited to thesespecific values, but may be varied depending on various conditions.

A sequence of assembling the panel joining mechanism 1 of the abovestructure will be described below.

FIGS. 3(a) through 3(d) are cross-sectional views illustrative of asequence of assembling the panel joining mechanism according to thefirst embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the rear wall 11 of the post 10 is held against awall 40 of a building structure, for example, and fastened thereto by ascrew 16.

As shown in FIG. 3(b), the panel joiner 20 is placed into the openingbetween the bent portions 13 or the slanted portions 14 of the sidewalls 12 which extend from the opposite ends of the rear wall 11 in adirection away from the wall 40.

As shown in FIG. 3(c), the resilient portion 34L on the marginal edgeportion 33L of the panel 30L is then attached to the panel joiner 20.

As shown in FIG. 3(d), the resilient portion 34R on the marginal edgeportion 33R of the panel 30R is attached to the panel joiner 20. At thistime, the elastic portions 34L, 34R of the panels 30L, 30R can easily beinserted into the panel joiner 20 as the elastic portions 34L, 34R areelastically deformable.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled form of the paneljoining mechanism according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4,when the elastic portions 34L, 34R of the panels 30L, 30R are insertedand fitted in the panel joiner 20, the soft member 25 of the paneljoiner 20 serves as an elastic pressing means for elastically pressingback the elastic portions 34L, 34R in a direction opposite to thedirection in which the elastic portions 34L, 34R have been inserted.Therefore, the convex edges 35L, 35R of the panels 30L, 30R are pressedunder constant forces against the respective first slanted walls 22 ofthe panel joiner 20 by the soft member 25 that acts as the elasticpressing means, thereby securing the panels 30L, 30R firmly to the post10 through the panel joiner 20.

A process of posteriorly installing an accessory such as a lavatory bowlin a bathroom which has been assembled using such panel joiningmechanisms will be described below. The drawings should be observed inthe direction in which the reference numerals appear normally.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a bathroom assembled using panel joiningmechanisms according to the first embodiment, with a posteriorlyinstalled lavatory bowl. The bathroom has a bathtub 43 and a floor 44which are surrounded by panels 30A˜30G, which are equivalent to thepanels 30L, 30R, and a doored panel 30H.

These panels 30A˜30G, 30H are supported by posts 10A˜10D, which areequivalent to the post 10, and corner posts 10E˜10H.

The lavatory bowl, denoted at 45, is newly attached to the panel 30E.

A handrail 46 is affixed to the panels 30B, 30C at its areas that arereinforced by reinforcing wood members 47 applied to the back sides ofthe panels 30B, 30C.

FIG. 6 shows in perspective the floor, the posts, etc. of the bathroom.Only parts of the bathrooms are shown for a fuller understanding of thepositions where the posts are installed. The posts for only two wallsare illustrated in FIG. 6.

The posts 10E, 10B, 10F, 10C, 10G are vertically disposed on a rim 52around a floor pan 42. The posts 10A, 10D, 10H are omitted fromillustration.

The bathroom is placed on a building floor 50 through adjusters 51 whichserve to level the floor pan 42. Horizontal members 53, 54 are mountedon the upper ends of the posts 10E, 10B, 10F, 10C, 10G, and also on theupper ends of the posts 10A, 10D, 10H which are omitted fromillustration.

An accessory attachment plate 55 serves to install the lavatory bowl 45.A process of attaching the accessory attachment plate 55 will bedescribed later on with reference to FIGS. 9(a) through 9(e).

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a structure by whichthe lower ends of posts are attached to the rim 52. Specifically, thepests 10A˜10H shown in FIG. 5 are fixed to the rim 52 around the floorpan 42 as follows:

The posts 10C, 10F are placed on the rim 52 and fastened to verticalwalls 52a of the rim 52 by screws 57. The other posts are attached tothe rim 52 in the same manner.

Since the posts 10C, 10F and so on are mounted on the rim 52, any waterthat enters from within the bathroom through a joint between panels,i.e., the joint between the elastic portions 34L, 34R shown in FIG. 4,into the panel joiner 20 falls on an inner side surface of the paneljoiner 20, and flows along the rim 52 into the bathtub 43 or floor 44.The water is prevented from flowing out of the bathroom beyond thevertical walls 52a of the rim 52.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view showing another structure by which thelower ends of posts are attached to an attachment. In FIG. 8, a post 10is vertically mounted on a floor border 60.

Specifically, the floor border 60 is placed on a liner 61 mounted on abuilding floor 50, leveled by an adjustment bolt 62, and fixed by ananchor bolt 63.

The post 10 is placed on a bearing surface 60a of the floor border 60,and directly fastened to a vertical wall 60b of the floor border 60 by ascrew 64.

Even if water enters from within the bathroom through a joint betweenpanels, i.e., the joint between the elastic portions 34L, 34R shown inFIG. 4, into the panel joiner 20, the water falls on an inner sidesurface of the panel joiner 20, and flows along the bearing surface 60aof the border 60 into the bathtub 43 or floor 44. The water is preventedfrom flowing out of the bathroom beyond the vertical wall 60b of theborder 60.

FIGS. 9(a) through (e) are cross-sectional views showing a sequence ofposteriorly installing a lavatory bowl in the bathroom described aboveaccording to the first embodiment. The sequence which includes removalof existing panels, attachment of a lavatory bowl attachment plate 55,reattachment of the panels, and attachment of a lavatory bowl will bedescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 9(a), the panel 30E is detached from the panel joiner20 in the post 10C. The panel 30E can easily be removed because theelastic portions 34 of the panels 30D, 30E are elastically deformable.

As shown in FIG. 9(b), the panel 30D is detached, and then the paneljoiner 20 is removed from the post 10C, which is now exposed to view.

As shown in FIG. 9(c), the lavatory bowl attachment plate 55 as anaccessory attachment plate is held against a rear surface of the post10c, and fastened thereto by a screw 67.

As shown in FIG. 9(d), the panel joiner 20 and the panel 30D arere-attached to the post 10C.

As shown in FIG. 9(e), the panel 30E is attached, and thereafter alavatory bowl 45 is attached. Specifically, the lavatory bowl 45 isattached directly to the lavatory bowl attachment plate 55 by screws 68extending through through holes that are defined in the panel 30E fromits face to back sides.

The bathroom with the lavatory bowl 45 shown in FIG. 5 is now completed.

In the above bathroom with the lavatory bowl 45, the lavatory bowlattachment plate 55 is fastened to the two adjacent posts 10C, 10G byrespective screws 67 and extends between the posts 10C, 10G. However,the present invention is not limited to such a structure. Rather, thelavatory bowl attachment plate 55 may be joined to more than twoadjacent posts, and the lavatory bowl may be joined to the lavatory bowlattachment plate 55 through a panel.

The panel joiner 20 is water-tight because it is of a closed shape asshown in horizontal cross section in FIG. 4. Specifically, even if wateror steam leaks out of the bathroom through a small gap which may existin the joint between the elastic portions 34L, 34R, the water or steamis prevented by the panel joiner 20 from going beyond the panel joiner20. Therefore, it is not necessary to press a joint finishing materialinto any gap in the joint between the elastic portions 34L, 34R, or tocover the marginal side edges 33L, 33R with a sealing material. Thepanel joining mechanism 1 is therefore of a sightly appearance which isfree of any joint finishing material.

The soft member 25 of the panel joiner 20 makes the panel joiningmechanism 1 water-tight more completely.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel joiningmechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Thepanel joining mechanism, generally denoted at 150, comprises a post 10,a panel joiner 151, and a pair of panels 155L, 155R (L indicates a leftpanel and R a right panel).

The post 10 is identical to the post 10 according to the firstembodiment, and hence will not be described in detail below.

The panel joiner 151 is an elongate member having a substantiallyinverted Ω-shaped cross section similar to a spade mark, and is composedof a pair of flat wings 151a, a pair of first slanted walls 151b joinedrespectively to the flat wings 151a, a pair of convex edges 151c joinedrespectively to the first slanted walls 151b, a pair of second slantedwalls 151d joined respectively to the convex edges 151c and to eachother, a pair of soft members 152 integrally formed with respectiveinner surfaces of the first slanted walls 151b, and a pair of softmembers 153 integrally formed with respective outer surfaces of theconvex edges 151c.

The panels 155L, 155R have respective surface members 156 includingrespective elastic or spring portions 158 on marginal side edgesthereof, the elastic or spring portions 158 being bent into asubstantially J-shaped cross section. However, the elastic or springportions 158 are smaller than the elastic portions 34L, 34R according tothe first embodiment.

When the panels 155L, 155R are attached to the post 10 by the paneljoiner 151 as shown in FIG. 10, the soft members 152 elastically pressthe elastic portions 158 inwardly and react to push the convex edges151c outwardly, thus pressing the soft members 153 strongly against theslanted portions 14 of the post 10.

Therefore, the panels 155L, 155R are firmly fixed to the post 10 by thepanel joiner 151. The soft members 152 serve as an elastic pressingmeans for elastically pressing the elastic portions 158 inwardly, andalso elastically pressing the convex edges 151c or the soft members 153outwardly. The soft members 152 and the soft members 153 jointly serveto make the panel joiner 151 more water-tight. Since the soft members152, 153 are also elastic, the elastic portions 158 are required to beless elastic than they would be if the soft members 152, 153 were notpresent, and hence may be relatively small in size.

FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel joiningmechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Thepanel joining mechanism, generally denoted at 160, comprises a post 10,a panel joiner 161, and a pair of panels 165L, 165R (L indicates a leftpanel and R a right panel).

The post 10 is identical to the post 10 according to the firstembodiment, and hence will not be described in detail below.

The panel joiner 161 is an elongate member having a substantiallyinverted Ω-shaped cross section, and comprises a pair of flat wings161a, a pair of first slanted walls 161b joined respectively to the flatwings 161a, a pair of second slanted walls 161c joined respectively tothe first slanted walls 161b, a rear wall 161d joined to the secondslanted walls 161c, a pair of soft members 162 extending inwardlyrespectively from the first slanted walls 161b and serving as an elasticpressing means, and a filler sealant 163 disposed in the panel joiner161.

The panels 165L, 165R have respective surface members 166 includingrespective elastic or spring portions 168 on marginal side edgesthereof, the elastic or spring portions 168 being bent into asubstantially S-shaped cross section. When the elastic portions 168 ofthe panels 165L, 165R are inserted into the panel joiner 161, the softmembers 162 elastically press the elastic portions 168 inwardly toproduce forces tending to retain the panels 165L, 165R on the post 10.The elastic portions 168 have respective distal ends embedded in thefiller sealant 163 in the panel joiner 161, making the panel joiner 161more water-tight.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel joiningmechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Thepanel joining mechanism, generally denoted at 170, comprises a post 10,a panel joiner 20, a pair of panels 30L, 30R (L indicates a left paneland R a right panel), which are identical to those of the panel joiningmechanism 1 according to the first embodiment, and a narrow jointfinishing member 171 inserted between the elastic portions 34L, 34R ofthe panels 30L, 30R.

The narrow joint finishing member 171 comprises a wedge portion 172positioned between the elastic portions 34L, 34R, a pair of retainers173 integral with opposite sides of the wedge portion 172 and engagingwith the elastic portions 34L, 34R for preventing the narrow jointfinishing member 171 from being dislodged, and a head 174 joined to thewedge portion 172 and positioned on the panels 30L, 30R.

When the narrow joint finishing member 171 is driven into a positionbetween the elastic portions 34L, 34R, the convex edges 35L, 35R arepressed strongly against the first slanted walls 22 of the panel joiner20. Consequently, the panels 30L, 30R remain attached to the post 10with increased strength.

For removing the panels 30L, 30R from the post 10, the narrow jointfinishing member 171 is detached at first to facilitate the subsequentremoving procedure.

FIG. 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel joiningmechanism according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Thepanel joining mechanism, generally denoted at 180, comprises a post 10,a panel joiner 181, a pair of panels 30L, 30R (L indicates a left paneland R a right panel). The post 10 and the panels 30L, 30R are identicalto those according to the first embodiment, and will not be described indetail below.

The panel joiner 181 comprises a pair of wings 182, a pair of firstslanted walls 183 joined respectively to the wings 182, a pair of secondslanted soft walls 184 joined respectively to the first slanted walls183, and a rear soft wall 185 joining the second slanted soft walls 184to each other. In the sixth embodiment, the second slanted soft walls184 and the rear soft wall 185 jointly serve as an elastic pressingmeans for elastically pressing the elastic portions 34L, 34R of thepanels 30L, 30R.

Because the second slanted soft walls 184 and the rear soft wall 185 areelastic, the elastic portions 34L, 34R are pushed upwardly in FIG. 13.As a consequence, the convex edges 35L, 35R are pressed against therespective slanted portions 14 of the post 10 through the first slantedwalls 183, for thereby keeping the panels 30L, 30R strongly attached tothe post 10.

The post 10 may be vertically mounted on the rim 52 around the floor pan42 as shown in FIG. 7, the floor border 60 as shown in FIG. 8, or thebuilding floor 50, or may be supported on a building wall. Therefore,the post 10 may be borne by any desired structure.

According to the present invention, as described above, a panel joiningmechanism comprises a post, a panel joiner detachably fitted in thepost, and a pair of substantially J- or S-shaped elastic portions onrespective ends of panels, the elastic portions being detachably fittedin the panel joiner. The panels can easily be installed by attachingthrough simple pressing action the panel joiner to the post in itsinterior side, and attaching the elastic portions to the panel joiner.

To remove the panels and the panel joiner for decorative renovations,the elastic portions are easily detached from the panel joiner, and thenthe panel joiner is easily detached from the post. Therefore, the panelsand the panel joiner can be attached or detached on the interior sideeasily at any time.

If the panel joiner has soft members, then the soft members can exertelastic forces to maintain the panels strongly attached to the post.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The panel joining mechanism according to the present invention caneasily and securely be assembled and allows panels to be detachedwithout undue forces and repeatedly. Consequently, the panel joiningmechanism permits panels to define bounded spaces for various uses.Since the panel joining mechanism is highly water-tight and can beassembled in a limited space, it is particularly useful to produce abathroom such as a unit bathroom or the like.

We claim:
 1. A panel joining mechanism comprising:a post composed of aflat rear wall adapted to be positioned in confronting relation to anattachment for being securely joined to said attachment, and a pair ofside walls extending from respective opposite ends of said flat rearwall away from said attachment, said side walls having respective endsbent inwardly into a pair of respective bent portions with an openingdefined therebetween; a one piece panel joiner having a substantiallyinverted Ω-shaped cross section and elastically disposed between anddetachably fitted over said bent portions; and at least a pair of panelshaving respective elastic portions on respective marginal side edgesthereof; said panel joiner being detachably fitted in said post throughsaid opening, said panels being joined to said panel joiner withcorresponding ones of said elastic portions detachably fitted said paneljoiner and pushing the panel joiner to said bent portions of said post.2. A panel joining mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each of saidelastic portions has a substantially J-shaped cross section.
 3. A paneljoining mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each of said elasticportions has a substantially S-shaped cross section.
 4. A panel joiningmechanism according to claim 1, wherein said panel joiner has elasticpressing means for elastically pressing said elastic portions towardsaid bent portions of said post.
 5. A panel joining mechanism accordingto claim 4, wherein said elastic pressing means comprises a soft memberintegral with said panel joiner.
 6. A panel joining mechanism accordingto claim 1, further comprising:a second post positioned adjacent to saidfirst-mentioned post and having a flat rear wall adapted to bepositioned in confronting relation to said attachment for being securelyjoined to said attachment; and an accessory attachment plate extendingbetween said first-mentioned post and said second post, said accessoryattachment plate being detachably joined to back surfaces of saidrespective flat rear walls of said first mentioned post and said secondpost, for supporting an accessory detachably thereon with one of saidpanels being positioned between said accessory attachment plate and saidaccessory.
 7. A panel joining mechanism according to claim 6, whereinsaid one of said panels has a plurality of through holes defined thereinfrom a face side to a back side thereof and extends between saidfirst-mentioned post and said second post, with said elastic portions ofsaid marginal side edges of said one of said panels being detachablyfitted in said first-mentioned post and said second post, thearrangement being such that said accessory attachment plate is joined tosaid first-mentioned post and said second post when said one of saidside panels is detached from said first mentioned post and said secondpost, and said accessory joining mechanism further comprises fastenersextending through said through holes for attaching the accessory to saidaccessory attachment prate when said one of said panels is attached tosaid first-mentioned post and said second post.
 8. A panel joiningmechanism according to claim 1, wherein said panel joining mechanism iswater-tight.
 9. A panel joining mechanism according in claim 1, furthercomprising wedge means for pressing said elastic portions toward saidbent portions of said post.
 10. A panel joining mechanism according toclaim 1 further including sealant means disposed in said joiner forsealingly joining said elastic portions together.
 11. A panel joiningmechanism according to claim 1, wherein said respective elastic portionsof said panels abuttingly engage each other when said elastic portionsare fitted in said panel joiner.
 12. A panel joining mechanism accordingto claim 1, wherein said panel joiner is completely concealed by saidpanels when the elastic portions of the panels are fitted in said paneljoiner.
 13. A panel joining mechanism comprising:a rigid channel-shapedpost having end edges bent inwardly toward each other with an openingdefined therebetween; a panel joining fitted to the rigid post so as tocover said opening including a convex portion disposed within said postand a pair of panels with elastic edges portions detachably fittedwithin said convex portion of said panel joiner such that said paneljoiner presses said elastic edges portions said bent end edges of therigid post.
 14. A panel joining mechanism according to claim 13, whereinsaid panel joiner further includes wing portions detachably fitted oversaid bent end edges of the rigid post.
 15. A panel joining mechanismaccording to claim 13, wherein said panel joiner further includeselastic pressing means disposed with said convex portion for elasticallypressing said elastic edge portions of said panel towards said bent endedges of said post.
 16. A panel joining mechanism according to claim 15,wherein said elastic pressing means comprises a soft member composed ofa material softer than other portions of the panel joiner and formedintegrally therewith.
 17. A panel joining mechanism according to claim13, further including wedge means detachably fitted between said elasticedge portions of said panel for pressing said panel joiner into secureengagement with said bent end edges of said rigid post.
 18. A paneljoining mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said respective elasticportions of said panels abuttingly engaged each other when said elasticportions are fitted in said panel joiner.
 19. A panel joining mechanismaccording to claim 13, wherein said panel joiner is completely concealedby said panels when the elastic portions of the panels are fitted insaid panel joiner.
 20. A kit of components for securely and detachablyjoining panels together, comprising:at least one rigid, channel-shapedpost having bent end edges facing each other in confronting relation soas to define an opening therebetween; at least one single piece paneljoiner adapted to the detachably fitted to said rigid post for coveringsaid opening, said panel joiner including a convex portion adapted to bedisposed within said rigid post and wing portions adapted to be fittedover said bent and edges of said rigid post; and a pair of panels withelastic edge portions adapted to extend over the wing portions and to bedetachably fitted in said convex portion of said convex portion of saidpanel joiner when said convex portion is disposed within said post. 21.A kit according to claim 20, wherein said panel joiner further includeselastic pressing means for elastically pressing said elastic edgeportions of the panels toward said bent end edges of said post.
 22. Akit according to claim 21, wherein said elastic pressing means comprisesa soft member composed of a material softer than other portions of saidpanel joiner and formed integrally therewith.
 23. A kit according toclaim 20, comprising:a plurality of said rigid, channel-shaped posts; aplurality of said panel joiners; and an accessory attachment plateadapted to extend between a pair of said rigid posts, said accessoryattachment plate being adapted to be detachably joined to backattachment surface of said post independent of said panel joiners andsaid panels, for supporting an accessory detachably thereon with onesaid panels being positioned between said accessory attachment plate andthe accessory.
 24. A kit according to claim 23, wherein one of said hasa plurality of through holes defined therein from side to a back sidethereof, and said kit further comprises screws for extending throughsaid through holes to attach said accessory to said accessory attachmentplate when said one of said panels is attached between a pair of saidposts.
 25. A kit according to claim 20, wherein said respective elasticportions of said panels are adapted to abuttingly engaged each otherwhen said elastic portions are fitted in said panel joiner.
 26. A kitaccording to claim 20, wherein said panels completely conceal said paneljoiner when the elastic portions of the panels are fitted in said paneljoiner.
 27. A panel joining mechanism comprising:a post composed of aflat wall adapted to be positioned in confronting relation to anattached for being securely joined to said attachment, and a pair ofside walls extending from respective opposite ends of said flat rearwall away from said attachment, said side walls having respective endsbent inwardly into a pair of respective bent portions with an openingdefined therebetween; a one piece panel joiner having a substantiallyinverted Ω-shaped cross section and elastically disposed between anddetachably fitted said bent portions; and at least a pair of panelshaving respective elastic portions on respective marginal side edgesthereof; said panel joiner being detachably fitted in said post throughsaid opening, and said panels being joined to said panel joiner withcorresponding ones of said elastic portions detachably fitted withinsaid panel joiner and said post.
 28. A panel joining mechanismcomprising:a rigid channel-shaped post having end edges bent inwardlytoward each other with an opening defined therebetween; a one piecepanel joiner elastically detachably fitted to the rigid post so as tocover said opening, said panel joiner including a convex portiondisposed within said post; a pair of panels with elastic edge portionsdetechably fitted within said convex portion of said panel joiner suchthat the panel joiner presses said elastic edge portions toward saidbent end edges of the rigid post; and said convex portion of said paneljoiner and said elastic edge portions of said panels each having slantedengagement surfaces which are slidable relative to each other forfacilitating insertion and removal of said elastic edges portions withinsaid convex portion.